Optical carriage of scanner and method for the same

ABSTRACT

An optical carriage of scanner has a mirror assembly and a device assembly, the mirror assembly has a mirror mount, some mirror holder, and some supporters, and the device assembly has a chassis. In this invention, the mirror assembly and the device assembly are mechanically connected after separately formation. Further, to ensure correct shape of these mirror holders and these supporters, they could be formed by metal punch, plastic ejection, or plastic process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention generally relates to the optical carriage ofscanner and method for forming the same, moreover, the invnetion relatesto the following issues: reduces errors, simplifying construction,reducing cost and increasing precision.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] The conventional scanner usually locates some mirrors in anoptical carriage, thus, the location of the mirrors could be changed toachieve some predetermined functions by moving the optical carriage.Further, the mirror mount usually is a combination of an elementassembly, which has a chassis, and a mirror assembly, which has a mirrormount and a support device. Herein, the mirror assembly is used tomodify the propagation path of the light, and the element assembly isused to carry some elements for processing the light.

[0005] For example, the conventional scanner usually puts some mirrorsin and on an optical carriage, and acquires the complete image by movingthe optical carriage through the whole scanned document. In the example,the mirror assembly has some mirrors and a mount for fixing the mirrors,the element assembly has some devices, such as lens and charger coupleddevice, and a chassis for supporting and fixing both the devices and themirror assembly.

[0006] The conventional technologies usually form the whole opticalcarriage, include the mirror mount and the supporters, by the plasticejection, and then separately locate both mirrors and devices into theoptical carriage. The advantages of the previous conventionaltechnologies have low cost and simply fabrication.

[0007] However, because that the result of the plastic ejection isstrongly dependent on the fabrication conditions which would be changedduring the fabrication of different plastic ejection, the shape of thedifferent optical carriages is hard to be exact similar. Further,because the whole optical carriage is formed at the same time, it isdifficult to separately amend the details of the optical carriage. Thus,the shape and the position of the real supporters usually are differentto the predetermined supporter, and both mirrors deviation and wrongpropagation path of light are unavoidable. Moreover, because that thehardness and the rigidity of the plastic material is weak, because thatthe weight of the mirror is irnegligible, and because the supporterssuffer extra stress during the moving process of the optical carriage,the supporters would be damaged and/or deformed even the fabrication isthorough prefect, and both mirrors deviation and wrong propagation pathof light are unavoidable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] One main object of the invention is to provide an opticalcarriage of scanner, moreover, the provided invnetion have the followingadvantages such as low cost, low errors, simply fabrication, and highprecision.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide an optical carriageof scanner, the provided invention could archive the previous advantageswithout strongly amending the conventional optical carriage of scanner.

[0010] Still an object of the invention is to provide a method forforming the previous provided optical carriage of scanner.

[0011] One preferred embodiment of this invention is an optical carriageof scanner, and is a combination of at least a mirror assembly and anelement assembly. The mirror assembly at least has a mirror mount, somesupporters and some mirror holders. These supporters are located andprotruded mirror mount, and each supporter is separated from other,supporters. These mirror holders are located in and protruded the mirrormount, and each mirror holder has two terminals where one terminal isconnected with the mirror mount but another terminal is separated fromthe mirror mount. The element assembly at least has a chassis which aredivided into a device area and a separated mirror area. Wherein, becausethe mirror area is covered by the mirror assembly after the elementassembly is connected with the mirror assembly, the shape of the mirrorarea usually equal to the shape of the mirror and the mirror areausually is located under the mirror assembly. Wherein, at least anelement, such as lens, light sensor, and charger coupled device, islocated inside the device area.

[0012] In this embodiment, the mirror assembly is mechanically connectedwith the element assembly. In fact, each assembly is formed andprecisely amended before they are connected to form the whole opticalcarriage of scanner. Besides, to reduce the risk of deformation of bothlens holders and supporters, the embodiment forms both lens holders andsupporters by one or combination of the following: metal punch, plasticejection, and plastic process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A more complete appreciation and many of the attendant advantageswill be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood byreference to the following detailed description when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawings.

[0014]FIG. 1A to FIG. 1C show the essential structure of one preferredembodiment of this invention; and

[0015]FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C show the essential flow-chart of anotherpreferred embodiment of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] Regarding to the defects induced by the process that directlyform the whole structure plastic ejection, and also regarding to thedefects induced by the lack of separated amendment of the details, theinvention solves the defects by a two-stage formation. In detail, theinvention separately forms the mirror assembly and the element assemblywithout limiting how each assembly is formed, and then mechanicallyconnects the mirror assembly with the element assembly. Thus, any defectinduced by the plastic ejection could be prevent while the plasticejection being replaced by other fabrication, and the details of eachassembly could be separately amended during the formation of eachassembly. Besides, because the mirror assembly and the element assemblydo not share the same device for the conventional optical carriage ofscanner, the two-stage formation of this invention not only would notchange the structure and corresponding position of the assemblies, butalso would not induce any extra difficulty to align.

[0017] Regarding to the defects induced by the week hardness and/or theweek rigidity of the plastic material, especially regarding to thedefects of damages and deformation, the invention solves the defects bychanging the used material and the used fabrication. In detail, theinvention could form the supporters and the mirror holders, even couldform the whole mirror assembly, by monoblock vast, the invention alsocould form the supporters and the mirror holder, even could form thewhole mirror assembly, by one of the following: metal punch, plasticejection, and plastic ejection with the mechanically enhanced structure.

[0018] One preferred embodiment of this invention is an optical carriageof scanner. As shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, and FIG. 1C, the embodiment atleast has mirror assembly 11 and element assembly 12. Moreover, mirrorassembly 11 at least has mirror mount 111, supporter 112, and lensholder 113, and element assembly 12 at least has chassis 121. Certainly,the case with three mirror 13 only is an example, the embodiment neverlimits the shape of both mirror mount 111 and chassis 112, also neverlimits the number, the shape and the location of mirror 13, still neverlimits the number, the shape, and the location of both supporters 111and lens holder 112.

[0019] Significantly, mirror mount 111 is used to restrict the locationand relative location of all mirrors 13 which are supported by mirrorassembly 11. In the embodiment, all supporters 112 are located andprotruded mirror mount 111, and each supporter 112 are separated fromother supporters 112. Further, all mirror holders 113 also are locatedand protruded mirror mount 111, and each mirror holder 113 has twoterminals where one terminal is directly connected with mirror mount 111and another terminal is separated from mirror mount 111. Surely, theinvention only requires that each mirror 13 is fixed in mirror mount 111by at least two lens holder 113 which are not located on the same sideof the mirror 13, and requires that each mirror 13 is supported onmirror mount 111 by at least three supporters 112. The reasons of thisrequirements are three points determine a plane and two points determinea line.

[0020] Further, element assembly 12 has chassis 121 which could bedivided into separate device area 123 and mirror area 122. Wherein,mirror assembly 11 is located inside mirror area 122, and at least anelement, such as lens, charger coupled device, light sensor, orintegrated circuit, is located inside device area 123.

[0021] One main characteristic of this embodiment is that elementassembly 12 are mechanically connected with mirror assembly 11 afterthey are formed separated, but not are formed with mirror assembly 11 asa whole at the same time. Wherein, the available mechanical connectionbetween mirror assembly 11 and element assembly 12 is one or combinationof the following: hook, insert, weld, adherence, hinge, and nail.Herein, because that the embodiment does not limit the details of themechanical connection, all figures omit the used mechanical connection.However, it should be noted that the used mechanical connection shouldnot damage or block the propagation of light between different mirrors13 inside mirror assembly 11, also should not damage or block thepropagation of light inside element assembly 12.

[0022] Further, to simplify the fabrication, the embodiment could formmirror assembly 11 by the monoblock cast. Moreover, to preventdeformation of supporters 112 and mirror holders 113, the embodimentcould enhance the hardness and rigidity of both supporters 112 andmirror holders 113 by form mirror assembly 11 with one or combination ofthe following technologies: metal punch, plastic ejection, and plasticejection with the mechanically enhanced structure.

[0023] Furthermore, while the shape of optical carriage of scanner letthe conventional technologies can not precisely form required supporters112 and mirror holders 113, the embodiment could replace the step offorming whole mirror assembly 11 with the use of monoblock vast by thestep of forming both supporters 112 and mirror holders 113 with the useof monoblock vast to precisely amend the details of supporters 112 andmirror holders 113. Certainly, to prevent deformation of supporters 112and mirror holders 113, the embodiment could enhance the hardness andrigidity of both supporters 112 and mirror holders 113 by form mirrorassembly 11 with one or combination of the following technologies: metalpunch, plastic ejection, and plastic ejection with the mechanicallyenhanced structure.

[0024] Besides, because mirror holders 113 are used to fixed mirrors 13on mirror mount 111, the width of a gap between any mirror holder 112and mirror mount 111 should be equal to or slightly less than thethickness of one mirror which is supported by the mirror holder 112.Surely, to easily insert and effectively hold mirror 13, mirror holders113 usually are made of the elastic material.

[0025] Moreover, it should be emphasized that the main characteristic ofthis embodiment is that mirror assembly 11 and element assembly 12 areseparately formed and connected by mechanical connection. In contrast,how mirror assembly, especial supporters 112 and mirror holders 113, isformed, what material is used, and what shape is formed only in someminor characteristics of the embodiment.

[0026] However, the invention is not limited by the embodiment. Forexample, while the shape of the optical carriage of scanner could beprecisely formed by plastic ejection but mirror assembly 11, especialsupporters 112 and mirror holders 113, is trend to be deformed duringthe operation of the optical carriage, the invnetion could only amendthe formation and the material of mirror assembly 11, especialsupporters 112 and mirror holders 113. In the case, the invention doesnot concern whether mirror assembly 11 and element assembly 12 isseparated formed or formed by monoblock vast.

[0027] Another preferred embodiment is a method for forming the opticalcarriage of a scanner, especially for forming the preferred embodiment.As FIG. 2A shows, the embodiment at least has following essential steps:

[0028] As separately formation block 21 shows, separately form a mirrorassembly and an element assembly. The mirror assembly at least has themirror mount, the supporter, and the mirror holder. The element assemblyat least has the chassis.

[0029] As mechanical connection block 22 shows, mechanically connect themirror assembly with the element assembly.

[0030] In the embodiment, the available mechanical connection betweenthe mirror assembly and the element assembly is one or combination ofthe following: hook, insert, weld, adherence, hinge, and nail. However,the embodiment does not limit the details of the mechanical connection.

[0031] In additional, the mirror mount is used to limit the location ofeach mirror and relative location of the different mirror, and both thesupporters and the mirror holders are used to fix all mirrors in thepredetermined location of the mirror mount. The chassis usually isdivided into a device area and a mirror area, wherein mirror assembly islocated inside the mirror device and at least an element is locatedinside the device area. However, the embodiment does not limit thedetails of both assemblies, no matter shape, material or fabrication.

[0032] For example, the embodiment could form the mirror assembly by themonoblock cast, or by one or combination of the followings: metal punch,plastic ejection and plastic process. For example, the embodiment couldform both the supporters and the mirror holders by the monoblock cast,or by one or combination of the following: metal punch, plastic ejectionand plastic process.

[0033] For example, the embodiment could but not need to let thesupporters be located and protruded the mirror mount and let eachsupporter be separated from other supporters. For example, theembodiment could but not need to let the mirror holders be located andprotruded the mirror mount and let each mirror holder has one terminaldirectly connected with the mirror mount and has another terminalseparate from the mirror mount.

[0034] Besides, because that the optical carriage of scanner usually hasat least one mirror, as FIG. 2B shows, the embodiment could performmirror combination block to support at least one mirror by the mirrorassembly before perform mechanical connection block 22 to mechanicallyconnect the mirror assembly and the element assembly. Certainly, as FIG.2C shows, the invention also perform mechanical connection block 22 tomechanically connect the mirror assembly and the element assembly beforeperform mirror combination block to support at least one mirror by themirror assembly.

[0035] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specificembodiments of the invention have been described herein for the purposeof illustration, various modifications may be made without deviatingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the inventionis not limited except as by the appended claims.

What is claimed is
 1. An optical carriage of scanner, comprising: amirror assembly, comprising: a mirror mount; at least a supporter, saidsupporter being located and protruded said mirror mount, each saidsupporter being separated from other said supporters; and at least amirror holder, said mirror holders being located in and protruded saidmirror mount, each said mirror holder having two terminals where oneterminal is connected with said mirror mount and another terminal isseparated from said mirror mount; and an element assembly, said elementassembly being mechanically connected with said mirror assembly,comprising: a chassis, said chassis being divided into a device area anda mirror area, wherein said mirror assembly is located inside saidmirror device and said at least an element is located inside said devicearea.
 2. The optical carriage of claim 1, the available mechanicalconnection between said mirror assembly and said element assembly ischosen from the group consisting of hook, insert, weld, adherence,hinge, and nail.
 3. The optical carriage of claim 1, said mirrorassembly being formed by the monoblock cast.
 4. The optical carriage ofclaim 1, said mirror assembly being formed by the metal punch.
 5. Theoptical carriage of claim 1, said mirror assembly being formed by theplastic ejection.
 6. The optical carriage of claim 1, said mirrorassembly being formed by the plastic ejection with the mechanicallyenhanced structure.
 7. The optical carriage of claim 1, said supportersand said mirror holders are formed by the monoblock cast.
 8. The opticalcarriage of claim 1, said supporters and said mirror holders are formedtogether by the metal punch.
 9. The optical carriage of claim 1, saidsupporters and said mirror holders are formed together by the plasticejection.
 10. The optical carriage of claim 1, said supporters and saidmirror holders are formed together by the plastic ejection with themechanically enhanced structure.
 11. The optical carriages of claim 1,the width of a gap between one specific said mirror holder and saidmirror mount being equal to the thickness of one said mirror which issupported by the specific said mirror holder.
 12. The optical carriageof claim 1, each mirror which is supported by said mirror assembly beingsupported by three said supporters which are not located in one sameline.
 13. The optical carriage of claim 1, each mirror which issupported by said mirror assembly being supported by two said supporterswhich are not located on the same side of said mirror.
 14. The opticalcarriage of claim 1, said mirror holders being made of the elasticmaterial.
 15. A mirror carriage, comprising: a mirror mount; at least asupporter, said supporter being located and protruded said mirror mount,each said supporter being separated from other said supporters; and atleast a mirror holder, said mirror holders being located and protrudedsaid mirror mount, each said mirror holder having two terminals whereone terminal is directly connected with said mirror mount and anotherterminal is separated from said mirror mount.
 16. The mirror carriage ofclaim 15, said mirror mount, said supporters and said mirror holdersbeing formed by the monoblock cats.
 17. The mirror carriage of claim 15,said mirror mount, said supporters and said mirror holders being formedby the metal punch.
 18. The mirror carriage of claim 15, said mirrormount, said supporters and said mirror holders being formed by theplastic ejection.
 19. The mirror carriage of claim 15, said mirrormount, said supporters and said mirror holders being formed by theplastic ejection with the mechanically enhanced structure.
 20. Themirror carriage of claim 15, said supporters and said mirror holders areformed by the monoblock cast.
 21. The mirror carriage of claim 15, saidsupporters and said mirror holders are formed together by the metalpunch.
 22. The mirror carriage of claim 15, said supporters and saidmirror holders are formed together by the plastic ejection.
 23. Themirror carriage of claim 15, said supporters and said mirror holders areformed together by the plastic ejection with the mechanically enhancedstructure.
 24. A method for forming the optical carriage of a scanner,comprising: separately forming a mirror assembly and an elementassembly, said mirror assembly comprising a mirror mount, at least asupporter, and a mirror holder, said element assembly comprising achassis; and mechanically connecting said mirror assembly with saidelement assembly.
 25. The method of claim 24, the available mechanicalconnection between said mirror assembly and said element assembly ischosen from the group consisting of hook, insert, weld, adherence,hinge, and nail.
 26. The method of claim 24, further comprising the stepof forming said mirror assembly by the monoblock cast.
 27. The method ofclaim 24, further comprising the step of forming said mirror assembly byone of the following: metal punch, plastic ejection and plastic process.28. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of forming bothsaid supporters and said mirror holders by the monoblock cast.
 29. Themethod of claim 24, further comprising the step of forming both saidsupporters and said mirror holders by one of the following: metal punch,plastic ejection and plastic process.
 30. The method of claim 24,further comprising the step of supporting at least a mirror by saidmirror assembly before said mirror assembly and said element assemblybeing mechanically connected.
 31. The method of claim 24, furthercomprising the step of supporting at least a mirror by said mirrorassembly after said mirror assembly and said element assembly beingmechanically connected.
 32. The method of claim 24, each said supportersnot only being located and protruded said mirror mount but also beingseparated from other said supporters.
 33. The method of claim 24, eachsaid mirror holders not only being located in and protruded said mirrormount but also having two terminals where one terminal is connected withsaid mirror mount and another terminal is separated from said mirrormount.
 34. The method of claim 24, said chassis being divided into adevice area and a mirror device, wherein said mirror assembly is locatedinside said mirror device and said at least an element is located insidesaid device area.